This Day in History
On May 1st, 1840 the United Kingdom issued the Penny Black stamp. The Penny Black was the first adhesive postage stamp used by a public postal service. Philatelists (stamp collectors) still covet The Penny Black, a rare find for collectors the worlds over. The Penny Black is known for its fine engraving and simplicity of design. The Penny Black features the profile of Queen Victoria.
Penny Black Revolution
Previously, it could be expensive in order to send or receive mail. As one paid “…for each sheet of paper and for the distance covered.” Often, the person whom received the mail also had to pay when the mail was delivered. The system caused confusion and inconsistency. As a result, Sir Rowland Hill proposed using an adhesive stamp. The stamp would be used to indicate postage had been paid. Although he put this idea forth in 1837, it took three years to become practice. On May 1, 1840 the Penny Black was issued in Great Britain. However, the pre-paid post was not valid until May 6, 1840.
Penny Black Retired
After 1840 any post sent weighing less than half an ounce could be sent for one penny. The Penny Black was a huge success. However, “The Penny Black was in use for only a little over a year. It was found that a red cancellation was hard to see on a black background and the red ink was easy to remove, making it possible to re-use stamps after they had been cancelled.” Ultimately, this gave birth to the Penny Red stamp of 1841.
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Sources: British Library, Jeremy Norman’s History of Information and Warwick & Warwick
Image Source: Adobe Stock
